In line with maximizing the country’s transport and logistics potential, the government aims to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and establish sustainable, efficient transportation links. These efforts are expected to significantly contribute to the country’s economic integration, stated Levan Davitashvili, the candidate for Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, during his address at the joint session of the Finance and Budget Committee, the Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy Committee, the Agrarian Issues, Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, and the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee of the Parliament of Georgia.
As the ministerial candidate emphasized, in the upcoming years, efforts to attract additional cargoes along transport routes passing through Georgia, including the “Middle Corridor,” will be intensified. He noted that in 2023, the total number of containers processed at the Poti and Batumi seaports reached 701,442 TEU, a 47% increase compared to 2022, when it was 477,094 TEU.
Levan Davitashvili further highlighted that to strengthen transport connections between Georgia and the European Union, work will continue on establishing direct ferry lines to Bulgaria and Romania and increasing traffic on the Black Sea.
The candidate also outlined key transport-logistics projects aimed at attracting additional cargoes to Georgia. He mentioned that the process of selecting a private partner for the development of the Anaklia deep-water port, which is crucial for the country, is nearing completion. The deep-water port is expected to begin operations by 2029 at the latest. Once the first phase is completed, the port’s capacity will reach 600,000 containers (TEU) annually, with an investment of 600 million USD.
Additionally, the candidate discussed the railway modernization project, which, once completed, will increase the railway’s annual capacity from 27 million to 48 million tons, and potentially up to 100 million tons with the installation of an automatic blocking system. He also mentioned that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway section, a key part of the Middle Corridor, is in its final stages of construction.
For context, Levan Davitashvili’s presentation took place at the joint session of several Parliamentary committees, including the financial-budgetary, sectoral economy, agrarian issues, environmental protection, and regional policy committees.
